The changes on the coaching staff created some changes in the direction that their recruiting efforts would take. Brent Venables and crew have made a concerted effort to target defensive talent and get into recruiting battles with the big guns of the SEC.
Though the coaching change led to some decommitments, the incoming staff brought with them relationships from recruiting efforts at their previous jobs. It’s those kinds of relationships that led the Sooners to landing 2022 four-star players Nick Evers, Jayden Gibson, and Jaren Kanak. Relationships with Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby played a huge part in getting them to Oklahoma.
And this could be the case with another four-star target as cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai takes his place in the Oklahoma Sooners hierarchy.
Valai’s previous efforts on the recruiting trail with 2023 four-star cornerback Malik Muhammad out of South Oak Cliff High School could net the Sooners a top-flight defensive prospect to add to their defense. Valai was the lead recruiter for Nick Saban’s crew at Alabama for Muhammad’s services and as we saw with Kanak, that relationship could be the difference in Muhammed choosing Oklahoma over Alabama.
Muhammad is a two-way player for South Oak Cliff, playing wide receiver and defensive back. On defense, he played boundary corner, in the slot, part of two and single-high safety looks.
At cornerback, he was aggressive in press looks at the line of scrimmage. He was physical in his initial jab and releases quickly when he reads the run play coming to his side. He’s a willing and aggressive tackler. Able to come up from the any spot and sift through the trash to find the ball carrier, wrap up and make the tackle. He brings a physical game to the catch point, often separating the receiver from the ball on arrival. Muhammad displays excellent ball skills. Natural hands catcher who made plays deep down the field as both a receiver and defensive back. He tracks the ball well and can go back and get it when it’s going over his head. The four-star player offers ability as a punt returner as well. Is methodical and elusive with the ball in his hands.
Blessed to be Re-offered by Oklahoma University!! #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/Lw6wfx8Nlo
— Malik Muhammad (@Returnof7) January 14, 2022
Malik Muhammed’s Recruiting Profile
Rating
| Stars | Overall | State | Position | |
| 247Sports | 4 | 57 | 12 | 8 |
| Rivals | 4 | 69 | 12 | 11 |
| ESPN | 4 | 41 | 6 | 6 |
| 247 Composite | 4 | 46 | 8 | 6 |
| On3 Recruiting | 4 | 15 | 4 | 2 |
| On3 Composite | 4 | 38 | 11 | 5 |
Vitals
| Hometown | Dallas, TX |
| Projected Position | CB |
| Height | 6-0 |
| Weight | 170 lbs |
Recruitment
- Offered on 1/15/2022
Notable Offers
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Alabama
- Texas Tech
- Auburn
- Georgia
- Florida
- Miami
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
Crystal Ball
No Crystal Ball Projection at this time
Film
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